New restaurant, vintage store & coffee spots open in Macon, Hardy Farm Peanuts relocates
A new vintage shop is now open in downtown Macon, while a nonprofit thrift store is moving to a new spot on Third Street.
Meanwhile, a dessert shop known for its extreme milkshakes has transformed into an acai bowl restaurant in west Bibb County, and a beloved peanut stand has found a new home outside a new butcher shop at the corner of Zebulon and Bass roads.
Also, two coffee shop brands new to Middle Georgia are gearing up to open in Macon.
Here’s a look at these developments:
Wear
This nonprofit thrift store where “your dollar makes change” with revenues going to the Daybreak resource center for homeless and low-income men and women is moving to 421 Third St.
The current location at 464 First St. is running a sale until its last day Aug. 19, when the thrift store will close to prepare for opening in its new digs Sept. 1.
Donations will cease being accepted in the transition and resume at the new location when it opens, said assistant manager Lynn Taylor. The store number will remain the same. Depaul USA, a national homeless service that operates Daybreak also is behind Wear.
The new location’s expected hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The store number is 478-319-7381.
MD Exchange
This little gem offering new and vintage finds can be found at 817 Forsyth St. near H&H restaurant in downtown Macon. The new shop, which recently celebrated its grand opening, offers curated vintage home goods, accessories and clothing from antique lovers Mandi Ballard and Dawn Spicer.
Antique and vintage collectors may know them from their booths around Middle Georgia. Their store also features local vendors and offers monthly classes and workshops.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The number is 478-259-4946.
Hardy Farm Peanuts
A popular long-standing peanut stand in Macon has moved from its former Thomaston Road location to its new spot in the parking lot of the new SL Sausage Company at 5615 Zebulon Road.
Hardy Farms has been a family business in the heartland of Georgia since 1935. The Macon peanut stand is open daily except Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sl Sausage Company, a high-quality butcher shop and well-stocked general market, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store’s number is 478-310-5077.
Essential Bowls
What started out as Cake ‘n Shake dessert shop at 5577 Thomaston Road, Suite 100 B, has been transformed into a new acai bowl restaurant by owners Vincent and Lakeisha Clayton.
The couple left their careers to launch their extreme milkshake concept and have since shifted to the popular acai bowls at their four locations, including Warner Robins plus one on the way in Athens.
Essential Bowls also offers oatmeal bowls, 100% natural smoothies, avocado toast, chicken salad sandwiches and more. Macon store hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The number is 478-259-7855.
Worth noting
Opening soon are two coffee shops new to Middle Georgia.
7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee at 1667 Bass Road will offer espresso-based coffee, chillers, teas, smoothies, infused energy and sodas. The brand’s first Middle Georgia store in Warner Robins is expected to open first. The scheduled openings of both have been delayed, however, with new target dates to be announced.
Known for its in-house roasted coffee beans, Red Owl Coffee Company is opening soon its first Middle Georgia store at 5586 Thomaston Road. This brand offers daily brews, espresso and frappe blends, signature coffee drinks called “Red Owl Customs,” teas, smoothies, milkshakes, hot coco, steamers and energy drinks. Food choices include bagels, sandwiches, a power bowl and muffins, according to the menu.
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 5:00 AM.